Trenton Mayor Tony Mack held the latest installment of “Ask the Mayor” this morning, and from the outset, it was stated that unlike past meetings, the press would not be allowed to attend. His administration has declared that the press will be blocked from attending this time out.

Reporters showed up anyway to the publicly announced meeting, held at City Hall, and what followed was described by those in attendance as utter chaos.

The mayor abruptly changed the format of the session from an open public meeting to a series of private, one-on-one conversations between the mayor and individual city residents.

The move angered many who showed for the meeting, expecting a transparent process, and by accounts from those who engaged in the private meetings, not much information of value was given by the mayor, who either repeated statements he’s already made or refused comments in combative exchanges with residents.

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In this transcript of a live chat held as the day’s events were unfolding, you’ll find accounts of some of those exchanges along with comment on the situation overall, and videos and photos taken by our staff.